Overtime limit for Glenside staff
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Glenside Hospital: staff overtime limits (ABC News)
The Australian Nursing Federation says limits on working overtime have been applied for staff at Glenside Hospital in Adelaide.
The Federation says nursing staff can now do only two overtime shifts over 28 days.
Union secretary Elizabeth Dabars says there would not be a problem if there were enough staff to cope with the workload.
She says the nurses are reducing services to make sure there are enough staff to meet patients' needs.
"If you don't reduce services then the clients are just as much penalised, if not more, because you're unable to provide them with safe care in the environment," she said.
The Health Department says a limit has been imposed because a few nurses were doing large amounts of overtime.
Director of mental health services, Learne Durrington, says it is important to ensure a safe workplace.
"We've had a small group of nurses - not all nurses - doing an extraordinary amount of overtime," she said.
"What we're trying to do is ensure that there is good quality care and safe work practices can be sustained."
